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..v>^)iHiirsi^?D_.i(Sjn(i>-!t?,igM  mm.  •ii.-ii.©- 


7 

LITERARY  DILIGENCE 


RECOMMENDED. 


BACCALAUREATE  DISCOURSE 


DELIVEUED   TO    THE 


CANDIDATES  FOR  DEGREES 


COLLEGE  OF  NEW  JERSEY, 

ON  THE  SAIiBATH  IMMEDIATELY  PRECEDING  THE  ANNUAL 
COMMENCEMENT   IN   1820. 


BY  ASHBEL  GREEN,  D.D.  LL.D. 

Late  President  of  Princeton  College,  New  Jersey. 


s2 


My  Dear  Brother  Breckinridge, 

You  solicit  me  for  an  essay  or  a  sermon,  for  your 
forthcoming  periodical.  I  have  neither  time  nor 
strength  to  write  any  thing,  de  novo.  But  I  send  you 
my  Baccalaureate  Discourse  to  the  candidates  for  de- 
grees in  the  College  of  New  Jersey,  on  the  Sabbath  im- 
mediately preceding  the  annual  commencement,  in 
1820.  -  This  Discourse  has  never  yet  been  published : 
and,  although  not  exactly  appropriate  to  Theological 
Students,  yet  I  think  it  contains  a  good  deal,  which,  if 
duly  regarded,  may  be  profitable  to  them,  as  well  as  to 
all  other  studious  youth. 

Yours  affectionately, 

ASHBEL  GREEN. 

Philadelphia,  August  I5th,  1832. 


LITERARY  DILIGENCE,  &c. 


"(Seesr  thou  a  man  diligent  in  his  business?  he  shall 
stand  before  kings,  he  shall  not  stand  beford  mean 
men.'''' — Prov.  xxii.  29. 

"  In  the  sweat  of  thy  face  ehalt  thou  eat  bread," 
was  a  part  of  the  malediction  pronounced  on  many  at 
his  first  apostacy  from  God.  From  that  time  to  the 
present,  almost  every  human  attainment  cr  possession, 
of  much  value,  has  been  the  fruit  of  industry  and  vigor- 
ous exertion.  The  law  of  our  present  condition,  how- 
ever,  which  usually  renders  laborious,  diligence  essential 
to  the  acquisition  of  whatever  is  valuable,  though  origi- 
nally a  penal  enactment,  furnishes  a  striking  example  of 
that  divine  benignity,  which  is  seen  in  very  numerous 
instances,  mingled  with  the  divine  chastisements. 
Take  man  as  he  is  in  his  fallen  state,  with  all  his  disor- 
dered propensities,  appetites  and  passions,  and  he  is  al- 
ways unhappy  when  found  without  employment;  with- 
out something  that  gives  excitement  to  his  mind,  acti- 
vity to  his  body,  and  occupation  to  his  time.  A  man  of 
much  leisure  is  commonly  dissatisfied ;  an  idle  man  is 
always  wretched.  On  the  other  hand,  he  who  is  con- 
stantly and  laboriously  employed  in  lawful  business, 
has  usually  the  best  enjoyment  of  life ;  Ihe  best  health 


220       LITERARY  DILIGENCE  RECOMMENDED. 

of  body,  and  the  greatest  serenity  of  mind.  Ho  is  ani- 
mated by  hope  arid  expectation,  conscious  that  he  is  pur- 
suing the  coui-se  which  leads  directly  to  all  those  attain- 
ments and  distinctions,  which  are  the  objects  of  human 
desire ;  which  aspiring  minds  covet  for  the  gratifica- 
tion of  their  ambition ;  which  virtuous  minds  seek  and 
value,  that  their  ability  to  do  good  may  be  increased. 
These  remarks^are  plainly  sanctioned  by  our  text — de- 
livered, let  it  be  remembered,  under  the  guidance  of  in- 
spiration, by  the  wisest  of  men;  by  a  prosperous  prince, 
mbst  deeply  skilled  in  the  knowledge  of  human  nature, 
and- most  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  course  and 
tendency  of  human  affairs.  "  Seest  thou  a  man  diligent 
in  his  bjjsiness  ?  he  shall  stand  before  kings,  he  shall 
not  stafid  before  mean  men." 

I  have  chosen  this  sacred  maxim  as  the  foundation 
of  the  present  address,  because,  though  I  am  aware  that 
it  is  applicable  to  business  of  every  kind,  yet  I  think  it 
peculiarly  applicable  to  the  occupation  and  pursuits  of 
a  Scholar.  In  discoursing  upon  it,  my  object  will  be 
to  recommend  literary  diligence,  by  showing  its  nature^ 
necessity,  and  happy  consequence^.  The  subject,  in  all 
ita  extent,  is  too  copious  to  be  treated  with  the  requi- 
site fulness,  in  a  single  discourse ;  and  as  the  first  of  the 
points  I  have  mentioned, namely,  the  nature  of  literary 
diligence,  may  be  considered  as  n  whole  by, itself,  I 
shall  confine  myself  to  this  on  the  present  occasion.* 

In  entering  on  this  discussion,  I  earnestly  intreat  you 

*  The  necessity,  and  hnppij  consequences  of  literary  ditigence, 
were  considered  in  a  subsequent  discourse. 


LITERARY  DILIGENCE  RECOMMENDED.      221 

to  keep  in  mind  tliat  it  is  to  be  considered  throughout, 
both  by  the  speaker  and  hearers,  as  the  discussion  qf  an 
interesting  part  otreligious  truth  and  duty.  This  is  im- 
portant, not  only  that  wo  may  mutually  regard  what  is 
incumbent  on  us,  on  this^  sacred  day,  iiut  in  order  to  do 
justice  to  the  subject,  itself;  for  t  am  persuaded  that 
it  can  neither  be  fully  understood  nor  felt,  with  its 
proper  force,  unless  it  be  examined  and  contemplated 
in  the  light  of  religion.  I  do  not,  indeed,  deny  that 
men  may  sometimes  be  found  who,  upon  mere  worldly 
considerations,  are  regular. in  their  lives  and  indus- 
trious in  their  habits.  But  I  do  affirm,'  that  as  no- 
thing but.  a  regard  to  the  authority  of  God  will  en- 
sure his  approbation,  either  in  this  life  op  in  that 
which  is  to  com6,  so  there  is  nothing  as  effectual  as 
this,  to  lead  us  to  a  cleap  and  extensile  .view  of  what 
is  really  incumbent  on  us ;  nothing  that  mil  make  us 
feel  the  obligations  of  duty  so  sensibly ;  and  nothing, 
consequently,  that  will  furnish  so  powerful  an  -excite- 
ment to  a  life  of  persevering  and  laborious  activity  in 
our  proper  callings.  Beyond  all  question,  he  who  re-, 
gards  exertion  and  industry  as  a  part  of  the  duty  and 
service^whicli  Jie  owes  to  his  Maker,  is  influenced  by  a 
consideration  which  must  operate  with  the  greatest 
force  and  steadiness  ;  which'  will  be  most  likely  to  pre- 
serve him  from  all  improper  jneans  or  endeavours  to 
promote  his  own  interest ;  and  which  must  also  pow- 
erfully invigorate  and '  support  his  mind,  and  even  fill 
it  v.'ith  pleasure  and  satisfaction,  from  the  hope  of  re- 
ceiving the  approbq,tion  of  the  greatest  and  best  of  Be- 


222      LITERARY  DILIGENCE  RECOMMENDED. 

ings,  whose  commands  he  obeys  and  whose  eernce  he 
performs. 

It  is  to  be  understood,  however,  that  although,  in  ilhis- 
trating.and  enforcing  the  text,  I  shall  make  it  my  care  to 
exhibit  and  inculcate  the  truth  which  it  contain  s^  as  a  doc- 
trine of  religion,  and  as  deriving  its  weightiest  sanction 
ftoia  the  divine  authority ;  yet  this  will  not  prevent  my 
showing  that  it  is  a  doctrine  which  may  be  sustained,  il- 
lustfated,  and  enforced,  like  many  other  religious  trutlis, 
by  reason,  experience,  and  the  principles  of  huma  nnature. 

In  considering  the  nature  of  literary  diligence,  that 
I  may  render  the  subject  as  practical  as  possible,  I  \Vill 
begin  with  stating  some  things  which  are  adverse  or 
hostile  to  it — some  difficulties  with  whidh  every  indus- 
trious student  will  haVe  to  Contend,  aftd  some  errors 
which  he  must  endeavour  to  avoid.       -     ' 

Indolence,  you  knotv,'.rs  the  exact  opposite  of  in- 
dustry or  diligence.  Whoever,  therefore,  intends  to  be 
industrious,  must  guard  against  the  indulgence  of  indo- 
lent feelings  and  habits,  with  all, the  resolution  and  vigi- 
lance 6f  which  he  is  capable.  He  should  think  much  'of 
the  sin  of  being  idle,  and  of  losing  an^  part  6f  that  pre- 
cious time,  Tor  the  whole  of  which  he  must  render  a 
strict  account  te  God.  Man  was  not  permitted  to  ba un- 
occupied even  in  Paradise ;  and  we  have  had  occasion  to 
remark,  that  since  his  fall,  it  is,  in  a  pecuHo-r  manner, 
the  law  of  his  nature  and  statp,  that  he  must  labour. 
No  affluence  of  fortune,  no  distinction  of  rank  or  birth, 
can  justify  any  one  in  leading  an  idle  life.  The  indis- 
pensable law  of  the  Gospel  is,  that  "  no  man  liveth  to 


LITERARY  DILIGENCE  RECOMMENDED.       223 

himself."  He  is  bound  to  servo  God  and  his  genera- 
tion  unceasingly — with  his  best  exertions,  and  with  all 
his  influence,  talents  and  property. 

The  man  who  would  cherish  the  spirit  and  habits  of 
industry,  should  think  often  on  the  loss  which  every 
idle  hour  will  occasion  ;  a  loss  absolutely  irreparable, 
since  every  subsequent  hour  will  demand  its  full  share 
of  duty.  He  should  consider,  that  although  it  may  re- 
quire an  effort,  sometimes  a  painful  one,  to  throw  off 
lazy  feelings,  yet  that  a  man  always  feels  better  when 
this  is  done,  than  when  he  gives  way  to  indolence  and 
inaction;  and  that  he  provides  not  only  for  present,  but 
for  future  enjoyment ;  because  he  does  that  which  will, 
on  rejiection,  afford  him  pleasure,  instead  of  pain.  Slug- 
gishness and  sloth  are  so  truly  degrading,  that  it  is 
scarcely  possible  to  fear  them,  hate  them,  and  despise 
them  too  much.  To  guard  against  them  effectually,  it 
may  be  useful  for  young  men,  at  least  till  habits  of  in- 
dustry are  well  established,  to  prescribe  to  themselves 
a  daily  task,  and  to  resolve,  in  ordinary  circumstances, 
not  to  sleep  till  it  be  accomplished. 

Again :  he  who  would  be  diligent  in  business,  must 
carefully  avoid  spending  too  much  time  in  company. 
Retirement,  you  know,  is  essential  to  study  and  literary 
improvement.  Nothing,  indeed,  can  be  farther  from  my 
views,  than  to  recommend  an  unsocial  disposition,  or  re- 
cluse habits.  Advantages  of  the  most  important  kind, 
and  obtainable  by  no  other  means,  are  to  be  derived  from 
social  intercourse,  and  mixing  suitably  and  discreetly 
with  the  world.     It  is,  moreover,  by  such  intercourse, 

T 


ii24     LITERARY  DILIGENCE  RECOMMENDED. 

that  the  man  of  true  benevolence  finds  many  opportuni- 
ties and  occasions,  which  he  would  otherwise  miss,  of 
doing  good  to  others.  But  an  excess  in  this  particular, 
is  certainly  one  of  the  greatest  dangers,  against  which 
a  studious  youth,  especially  if  he  be  fond  of  society,  will 
find  need  to  guard.  Of  the  company  of  idlers  and 
loungers  he  must  resolve  to  rid  himself  effectually — with- 
out offending  them,  if  it  be  practicable;  but  by  offending 
them,  if  he  cannot  otherwise  accomplish  his  purpose. 
But  we  must  go  farther.  In  order  to  be  industrious,  es- 
pecially in  literary  pursuits,  we  must  be  careful  of  spend- 
ing too  much  time,  even  in  the  best  company.  From  not 
duly  considering  this,  young  men  of  great  promise  have 
sometimes  marred  their  prospects,  and  disappointed  the 
expectations  they  had  raised.  By  an  inordinate  love  of 
company,  from  which  they  suspected  no  injury,  because  it 
was  reputable  and  honourable,  it  has  come  to  pass  that  they 
have  remained  superficial,  when,  otherwise,  they  might 
have  been  profound ;  they  have  become  gentlemen,  but 
not  scholars  ;  in  a  word,  though  they  have  adorned  so- 
ciety, they  have  never  been  capable  of  managing  its 
most  serious  and  weiglity  concerns.  It  is,  therefore,  of 
much  importance  to  learn  and  practice  the  self-denial 
requisite  to  forego  the  pleasures  of  society,  whenever 
they  would  interfere  with  regular  study,  or  professional 
engagements.  Nay,  an  industrious  student  must  en- 
deavour, as  far  as  the  obligations  of  religion,  benevo- 
lence and  courtesy  will  permit,  to  prevent  unseasonable 
and  useless  visits  to  himself:  and  with  suitable  address, 
this  may  usually  be  done,  without  giving  lasting  or  serious 


LITERARY  DILIGENCE  RECOI^IEXDED.       225 

offence.  To  a  diligent  man,  time  is  invaluably  precious. 
It  will  always  grieve  him  when  any  portion  of  it  passes 
unprofitably;  and  in  every  lawful  way  he  will  be  careful 
to  save  it,  or  to  turn  it  to  some  good  account. 

Farther.  One  who  intends  to  be  really  and  effectively 
diligent  in  studious  business,  must  not  indulge  a  desul- 
tory, fluctuating,  or  unsteady  state  of  mind.  Scarcely 
any  thing  is  more  hostile  than  this,  to  the  necessary  ac- 
quisition of  science,  nor,  indeed,  to  a  thorough  know- 
ledge of  any  subject.  Such  knowledge  can  rarely  be  ac- 
quired but  by  gradual,  and  sometimes  by  slow  advances; 
and  he  who  is  impatient  of  such  advances,  he  who  will 
not  steadily  and  perseveringly  pursue  a  subject  till  he 
understands  it  clearly,  and  comprehends  it  fully,  will 
seldom  be  more  than  a  smatterer.  Sir  Isaac  Newton  is 
reported  to  have  said,  that  he  thought  he  possessed  no 
uncommon  talent,  beyond  an  aptitude  for  patient  think- 
ing and  laborious  investigation.  We  sometimes  see 
men,  not  otherwise  incapable  of  improvement,  nor,  so 
far  as  we  can  judge,  disqualified  for  rising  to  eminence, 
who  seem  as  if  they  could  keep  to  no  one  study  or  pursuit 
long  enough  to  bring  it  to  a  successful  termination.  They 
oflen  enter  on  anenterprizc  Avith  eagerness,  but  before  it 
is  half  accomplished  they  are  out  of  conceit  with  it,  and 
must  try  something  else.  In  active  life,  this  unhappy 
temperament  manifests  itself  by  driving  its  subject  from 
one  profession  to  another,  or  from  one  place  or  project 
to  another,  without  end,  and  with  certain  loss  both  of 
property  and  character.  To  counteract  this  unpropiti- 
ous  disposition  of  mind,  a  portion  of  which  is  no  un- 


226       LITERARY  DILIGENCE  RECOMMENDED. 

common  misfortune,  studious  youth  should  make  a 
point  of  resisting  it  resolutely,  from  the  very  first.  Let 
them  deliberate  well  before  they  enter  on  any  undertak- 
ing ;  but  when  entered  on,  let  them  resolve  never  to  give 
it  up  through  weariness  or  disgust,  till  it  be  accomplish- 
ed.  Let  them  fix  it  as  a  maxim,  to  complete  whatever 
they  begin.  Have  they  selected  a  subject  for  composi- 
tion ?  Let  them  never  change  it  for  another,  whatever 
inclination  may  suggest,  but  pursue  it  closely,  till  they 
have  discussed  it  in  the  best  manner  which  their  talents 
will  permit.  Have  they  set  out  to  make  a  literary  at- 
tainment?  Let  them  not  alter  their  purpose,  nor  flag, 
nor  waver  in  it,  till  the  acquisition  be  achieved.  Have 
they  chosen  a  profession  ?  Let  them  think  only  of  emi- 
nence  and  usefulness  in  that  profession,  and  never  suffer 
their  minds  to  be  discouraged,  enfeebled  or  depressed,  by 
dwelling  on  the  advantages,  the  pleasures,  or  the  hon- 
ours of  another.  Have  they  commenced  business  in  a 
particular  place  ?  There  let  them  pursue  it,  with  a  de- 
termination not  to  remove,  but  on  the  most  weighty 
considerations.  All  general  maxims  admit  of  some  ex- 
ceptions, but  to  those  now  suggested  the  exceptions 
ought  certainly  to  be  few. 

Another  enemy  to  effective  literary  industry,  nearly 
allied  to  that  which  has  last  been  characterized,  is  the 
love  of  miscellaneous  reading,  or  of  the  pleasantcr 
parts  of  general  literature,  or  of  attempting  light  compo- 
sitions, indulged  to  the  neglect  of  those  severer  studies 
in  which  eminence,  both  in  science  and  in  professional 
business,  must  always  rest,  as  on  its  proper  basis.     This 


LITERARY  DILIGENCE  RECOMMENDED.      227 

is  a  mischief  which  often  begins  early,  and  continues 
through  life.  It  frequently  commences  in  a  grammar 
school,  or  during  a  college  course,  where  the  youth  dis- 
regards or  neglects  the  regular  studies  of  his  class,  or 
contents  himself  with  a  very  superficial  knowledge  of 
them,  and  consumes  his  time  in  reading  entertaining 
books,  of  every  description  and  variety.  Such  a  youth 
is  no  very  promising  candidate  for  distinction  in  after 
life,  as  a  scholar,  a  divine,  a  lawyer,  or  a  physician. 
He  is  in  danger  of  retaining  his  early  habits,  so  that 
though  he  read  much,  his  reading  shall  profit  him  but  lit- 
tle. He  may  accumulate  a  heterogeneous  mass  of  infor- 
mation ;  but  still  without  possessing  a  thorough  acquain- 
tance with  any  one  branch  of  useful  knowledge.  Of  his 
professional  business,  if  he  is  ever  found  in  a  profession, 
it  is  likely  he  will  know  less,  than  of  many  other  sub- 
jects. Such  a  man  may  become  the  author  of  a  tale,  or 
an  ode ;  but  will,  probably,  produce  nothing  valuable  on 
any  important  concern  of  life. 

Let  me  not,  however,  be  misunderstood.  I  would  be 
so  far  from  condemning  all  light,  or  general  reading, 
that  I  would  remind  you  distinctly,  that  no  scholar 
ought  wholly  to  neglect  it.  There  is,  as  Cicero  has  long 
since  remarked,  a  kind  of  common  bond  of  union  among 
all  the  liberal  arts  ;  so  that  they  are  mutually  auxiliary 
to  each  other.  General  knowledge  always  enriches  and 
liberalizes  the  mind;  and  it  will  ever  be  advantageous, 
in  various  ways,  to  a  professional  man,  to  possess  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  such  knowledge. 

I  frequently  refer  to  professional  qualifications,  because 
T   2 


228       LITERARY  DILIGENCE  RECOMMENDED. 

in  this  country,  at  present,  there  are  not  many  men  of 
education  who  are  not  professional  men.  It  may  be  re- 
gretted that  such  should  be  the  fact,  and  we  have  been  re- 
proached on  account  of  it;  but,  from  the  state  of  society, 
it  could  not  be  otherwise.  Few  among  us  have,  hither- 
to, possessed  the  means  of  obtaining  a  liberal  education 
as  a  matter  of  ornament,  or  as  a  source  of  refined  plea- 
sure, or  with  the  expectation  of  writing  for  the  public 
on  subjects  of  taste  or  science.  It  will  readily  be 
granted,  that  those  who  entertain  any  of  these  views 
may  properly  indulge  their  inclination  for  general  read- 
ing, more  freely  than  others.  But  even  these  will  err 
egregiously,  if  they  do  not  pursue  improvement  on  some 
definite  plan  or  system  ;  and  if  they  do  not  also  devote  a 
principal  part  of  their  earlier  studies  to  the  attainment 
of  that  substantial  literature,  on  which  alone  they  can, 
advantageously,  superinduce  the  more  elegant  and  or- 
namental parts. 

"  Not  even  in  trifles,  triflers  can  excel, 
'  Tis  solid  bodies  only  polish  well." 

But  to  those  who  have  professional  employments 
distinctly  in  view,  general  reading  ouglit,  through 
the  earlier  part  of  life,  to  be  an  amusement  rather  than 
a  business.  At  most,  it  should  be  no  more  than  a  by- 
business.  Both  duty  and  interest  dictate,  that  the 
strength  of  their  minds  be  laid  out  on  genuine  science, 
and  professional  studies. 

Form  your  habits,  therefore,  on  this  plan,  and  retain 
them  unbroken,  till   you   are   satisfied   that  you   may 


LITERARY  DILIGENCE  RECOMMENDED.       229 

change  them  without  injury.  In  a  word,  be  of  the 
character  which  the  text  contemplates — let  your  dili- 
gence be  in  your  business.  Let  other  things  be  your 
recreation,  or  the  subjects  only  of  occasional  attention. 
It  should  indeed  be  a  part  of  the  plan  of  every  busy 
Scholar,  to  render  even  his  relaxation  improving  to  him- 
self, and  if  possible,  useful  to  others. 

Once  more — Diligence  in  business,  if  we  would  secure 
its  full  benefit,  must  be  so  conducted  as  not  to  injure 
health.  This  is  a  most  important  consideration,  which 
few  studious  youth  estimate  as  they  ought,  till  they  are 
taught  by  experience — by  an  experience,  alas!  which 
often  comes  too  late  to  be  useful.  Let  it  by  no  means 
bo  supposed,  that  it  has  been  my  intention,  in  any  thing 
you  have  heard  in  this  address,  to  recommend  that  your 
application  to  study  should  be  unceasing — Far  from  it. 
Such  an  application,  I  well  know,  is  not  even  calculated 
to  effect  the  greatest  progress  in  study  itself  An  inces- 
sant poring  on  a  subject  renders  the  faculties  obtuse, 
and  stupefies  and  bewilders  the  mind.  To  study  ad- 
vantageously, the  mind  must  be  clear  and  vigiorous. 
In  that  state,  more  will  be  done  in  a  few  minutes  than 
in  hours,  or  days,  of  lassitude  and  exhaustion.  It 
should  never  be  forgotten  that  the  mind,  as  well  as  the 
body,  may  act  feebly  ;  and  that,  in  regard  to  both,  it  is 
by  vigorous  efforts  only  that  obstacles  are  removed,  and 
difficulties  overcome.  Now,  in  order  to  act  with  energy 
and  perspicacity,  the  mind  must  have  suitable  rest ;  and 
he  who  does  not  rest  enough  to  qualify  the  mind  to  put 
forth  all  its  energies,  will  certainly  not  study  to  the 


230      LITERARY  DILIGENCE  RECOMMENDED. 

most  advantage.  To  loiter  and  doze  over  a  subject  or 
a  book,  is  one  of  the  worst  practices  in  which  a  student 
can  indulge.  Better  it  is  by  far,  to  apply  vigorously, 
while  vigour  can  be  sustained,  and  then  to  relax  alto- 
gether. Different  individuals  can,  no  doubt,  bear  dif- 
ferent degrees  of  close  study;  but  there  are  few  who 
can,  with  safety  or  benefit,  employ  in  this  way,  more 
than  six,  or,  at  the  utmost,  eight  hours,  in  the  day ;  and 
these  ought  generally  to  be  divided  into  two  or  three 
portions,  with  an  interval  of  complete  relaxation  be- 
tween them.  It  is  also  to  be  recollected,  that  not  only 
must  the  mind  have  rest,  but  that  tlie  body  must  have 
exercise.  For  the  want  of  this,  we  have  seen  numer- 
ous and  melancholy  instances  of  youth,  of  the  best  hopes, 
whose  literary  career  has  been  interrupted  almost  as 
soon  as  begun  ;  and  themselves,  indeed,  frequently  con- 
signed to  an  early  grave.  Whether  there  be  any  thing 
in  the  American  climate,  constitution,  or  habits,  which 
is  peculiarly  unfriendly  to  a  sedentary  and  studious  life, 
I  am  not  prepared  to  say;  but  it  seems  to  me,  that  it  is 
far  more  common  in  this  country  than  in  Europe,  for 
studious  men  to  ruin  their  constitutions,  so  as  cither  to 
die  young,  or  to  render  life  a  long  disease.  To  prevent 
this  as  far  as  possible,  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  a  student 
ought  to  make  it,  not  merely  a  point  of  prudence,  but  a 
part  of  his  religion,  to  take  daily  and  sufficient  exercise. 
Besides  what  he  owes  to  himself,  is  he  not  bound  to  ren- 
der to  God  and  to  his  fellow  men,  the  greatest  amount 
of  service  of  which  he  is  capable?  And  do  we  not 
know  that  this  service  is  greatly  diminished,  nay,  often 


LITERARY  DILIGENCE  RECOMMENDED.       231 

entirely  prevented,  by  the  want  of  that  health  which 
due  exercise  is  essentially  necessary  to  preserve  ?  Let 
no  one  say  that  he  is  too  youn;^,  and  firm,  and  athletic, 
to  be  always  guarding  against  disease.  I  am  not  recom- 
mending an  effeminate  anxiety  about  health  and  life. 
This  often  defeats  its  own  purpose;  and  is,  in  fact  a  dis- 
ease in  itself.  No  truly — But  I  do  earnestly  inculcate 
the  importance  of  constantly  recollecting,  that  health  is 
more  easily  kept,  when  it  is  possessed,  than  regained 
when  it  is  lost ;  that  as  both  our  comfort  and  usefulness 
depend  on  it,  it  is  a  sacred  duty,  which  we  owe  both  to 
ourselves  and  to  others,  to  endeavour  to  preserve  it ; 
that,  under  the  divine  blessing,  it  is  chiefly  to  be  pre- 
served by  a  proper  regimen ;  by  forming  and  maintain- 
ing good  habits,  of  which  the  taking  of  daily  exercise 
is  one  of  the  very  first  importance.  As,  therefore, 
every  thing  we  shall  do,  is  best  done  by  system,  let  every 
student  prescribe  to  himself  what  he  deliberately  judges 
necessary,  in  regard  to  the  point  before  us,  and  then  re- 
ligiously adhere  to  the  rule  which  he  adopts. 

Having  thus  noticed,  at  some  length,  what  is  most 
adverse  to  literary  industry ;  the  errors  in  regard  to  it 
which  must  be  avoided,  and  the  difficulties  which  must 
be  surmounted ;  a  very  short  and  summary  statement 
will  now  suffice,  to  show  in  what  it  directly  and  dis- 
tinctly consists.  It  consists,  then,  in  a  steady,  labori- 
ous, unwearied,  but  discreet  attention,  to  the  most  im- 
portant subjects  of  study,  while  one  is  in  training  for 
active  life ;  and  in  the  same  attention  to  professional 
studies  and  duties,  after  he  has  entered  on  such  a  life. 


232      LITERARY  DILIGENCE  RECOJOIEXDED. 

In  his  preparatory  course,  the  youth  who  is  dihgent  in 
business,  in  the  spirit  of  our  text,  will  bend  his  mind 
most  assiduously  to  the  acquisition  of  language  and 
science,  as  the  essential  prerequisites  and  preparatives 
for  every  liberal  profession  or  pursuit.  He  will  not 
slight  any  study  in  a  system  of  academical  education, 
under  a  vain  conceit  that  it  would,  if  pursued,  be  useless 
to  him,  or  do  him  little  good.  He  will,  in  this,  yield 
himself  entirely  to  the  opinion  and  direction  of  his  teach- 
ers; having  already  learned  that  the  utility  of  elementary 
knowledge  cannot  be  judged  of  by  him  who  is  acquiring 
it.  He  will,  therefore,  apply  himself  to  the  acquisition 
of  classical  learning,  of  mathematical  and  physical 
science,  of  the  knowledge  of  composition  and  elo- 
quence, of  logic,  and  the  philosophy  of  the  human  mind, 
of  historical  information,  and  of  the  principles  of  morals 
and  religion.  On  these  he  will  diligently  employ  his  time 
and  his  best  efforts.  When  he  has  selected  his  profes- 
sion, his  great  aim  will  be  to  understand  it  thoroughly. 
No  general  and  superficial  knowledge  of  it  will  content 
him.  He  will  endeavour  to  go  deep  into  every  part  of 
it — to  become  acquainted  with  its  radical  principles, 
with  all  its  details,  connexions,  bearings,  results  and  ap- 
plications— in  a  word,  to  be  a  master  of  it.  With  this 
view,  he  will  make  a  considerable  part  of  his  general 
reading  auxiliary  to  his  professional  pursuits. 

When  he  enters  on  the  practical  duties  of  his  pro- 
fession, he  will  consider  himself  as  devoted  to  those  du- 
ties. All  his  arrangements  will  be  made  to  favour  and 
forward  their  full  and  perpetual  performance.     To  this 


LITERARY  DILIGENCE  RECOMMENDED.      233 

the  order  of  his  family  will  be  made  subservient.  For 
this  he  will  aive  up  every  interfering  pleasure  and  en- 
joyment. For  this  he  will  refuse  no  necessary  sacrifice, 
nor  grudge  any  requisite  labour  or  exertion.  Thoso 
who  seek  him  in  the  business  of  his  profession,  will 
easily  find  him  always  ready  to  attend  to  their  con- 
cerns, and  find  that  it  is  always  safe  and  advantageous 
to  confide  them  to  him.  In  fine,  he  will  consider  the 
duties  of  his  profession  as  constituting  the  great  busi 
ness  of  his  life,  and  as  forming  a  sacred  trust,  for 
which  he  holds  a  high  responsibility  both  to  God  and 
man. 

I  must  pointedly  notice,  that  every  thing  must  be 
reduced,  as  far  as  possible,  to  method  or  order,  by  him 
who  would  be  diligent  in  business  to  the  most  advan- 
tage, fie  must  make  an  orderly  distribution  of  his 
time,  fixing,  as  far  as  he  can,  his  hours  of  study  and 
business,  and  those  of  rest,  amusement,  relaxation,  and 
exercise.  He  must  also  make  a  methodical  disposition 
of  the  different  parts  of  his  business ;  so  that  he  may 
take  up  every  thing  that  he  docs,  in  an  orderly  manner. 
His  papers  and  his  books — the  implements  of  his  occu- 
pation— must  have  a  careful  and  orderly  arrangement ; 
so  that  every  thing  may  immediately  bo  found  when  it 
is  wanted,  without  confusion  and  the  loss  of  time.  It 
is  thus  by  putting  method  into  all  his  business  and  con- 
cerns,  and  inflexibly  adhering  to  it,  that  a  man  is  able 
easily  to  accomplish  what,  to  one  who  is  unacquainted 
with  the  effects  of  order  and  industry  united,  appears 
utterly  impracticable.     Let  me  add,  that  as   neatness 


234      LITERARY  DILIGENCE  RECOMMENDED. 

and  order  are  certainly  favourable  to  each  other,  a 
scholar  should,  from  the  first,  be  careful  never  to  sepa- 
rate them.  I  must  also  particularly  remark,  that  strict 
and  scrupulous  punctuality,  in  regard  to  appointments, 
and  to  engagements  of  every  kind,  must  characterize 
him  who  tliinks  to  save  time,  to  do  much  business,  and 
to  possess  the  greatest  weight  of  character.  But  before 
concluding  this  part  of  the  subject,  I  should  feel  myself 
chargeable  with  a  most  criminal  neglect  of  official  duty, 
if  I  did  not  tenderly  counsel  and  entreat  the  youth  whom 
I  address,  and  indeed  all  who  hear  me,  to  appropriate, 
in  the  orderly  distribution  of  their  time,  a  certain  part 
of  every  day  as  sacred  to  the  exercises  of  devotion. 
Without  prayer  there  can  be  no  true  religion.  To 
speak  of  a  prayerless  Christian,  would  be  to  utter  a  per- 
fect solecism.  It  is  by  prayer  that  all  intercourse  with 
heaven  is  carried  on,  and  all  its  blessings  secured.  And 
without  the  blessing  of  God,  dihgence  itself  will  render 
no  man  truly  prosperous,  even  in  this  world.  "  The 
blessing  of  the  Lord,  it  maketh  rich,  and  he  addeth  no 
sorrow  with  it."  (Prov.  x.  22.)  The  frowns  of  provi- 
dence may  blast  the  wisest  and  the  best  conducted  plans 
and  efforts.  Of  this  the  author  of  our  text  elsewhere 
reminds  us.  "  I  returned,  (says  he,)  and  saw  under  the 
sun,  that  the  race  is  not  to  the  swift,  nor  the  battle  to 
the  strong,  neither  yet  bread  to  the  wise,  nor  yet  riches 
to  men  of  understanding,  nor  yet  favour  to  men  of  skill ; 
but  time  and  chance  happeneth  to  them  all."  Be  sensi- 
ble, then,  of  your  entire  dependence  on  the  God  of  pro- 
vidence and  grace,  to  succeed  and  bless  your  literary 


LITERARY  DILIGENCE  RECOMMENDED.      235 

diligence ;  cultivate  an  habitual  sense  of  that  depen- 
dence ;  and  by  daily  prayer,  implore  a  favourable  issue 
to  all  that  you  undertake.  Numerous  instances,  I  ad- 
mit there  are,  of  men  who  rise  to  vs^ealth,  station,  and  in- 
fluence, and  yet  live  and  die  without  piety.  But  in 
every  such  instance,  remember  that  prosperity  is  grant- 
ed not  with  the  smiles,  but  in  the  displeasure  of  Hea- 
ven. "  The  prosperity  of  fools  shall  destroy  them.  The 
curse  of  the  Lord  is  in  the  house  of  the  wicked."  They 
are  neither  to  be  envied  nor  imitated.  Consider,  I  be- 
seech you,  how  dreadful  it  will  be,  if  all  your  distinc- 
tions and  influence  among  men,  shall  only  serve  to  in- 
crease an  awful  account  with  God,  and  to  aggravate 
your  final  condemnation  :  And  this  they  will  assuredly 
do,  if  you  remain  unreconciled  to  God  through  Jesus 
Christ,  and  live  in  the  neglect  of  prayer,  and  the  other 
duties  of  genuine  piety.  Be  assured  that  nothing  will 
have  so  happy  an  influence,  to  direct  and  animate  you 
in  all  duty,  as  daily  and  fervent  prayer,  both  in  the  closet 
and  in  the  family.  It  v.'ill  bring  you  comfort  and  sup- 
port  under  all  disappointments,  trials,  and  afllictions.  It 
will  be  your  best  recourse  in  all  difficulties,  straits,  and 
embarrassments.  It  will  also  make  you  regard  as  mat- 
ters of  duty,  what  the  prayerless  regard  as  matters 
merely  of  choice  or  prudence.  It  will  render  you  con- 
scientious and  careful  in  avoiding  all  the  errors,  and  in 
overcoming  all  the  difficulties,  relative  to  a  life  of  indus- 
try, which  have  been  pointed  out  in  this  address  :  And 
best  of  all,  it  will  often  fill  your  minds  with  those  sweet 
and  divine  consolations,  which  at  once  lighten  the  bur- 


236       LITERARY  DILIGENCE  RECOMMENDED. 

dens  of  life,  sanctify  the  soul,  and  anticipate  the  bliss 
and  the  rest  of  heaven.  Whether,  therefore,  you  consult 
your  present,  or  your  future  destiny,  your  temporal  or 
your  eternal  interests,  the  exercises  of  devotion  are  all 
important.  Insure  their  performance,  by  setting  apart 
the  specific  hour  and  place,  at  which,  in  ordinary  cir- 
cumstances, they  shall  receive  your  daily  and  undivided 
attention.  With  devout  exercises  in  private,  connect  a 
reverential  regard  to  all  the  other  demands  and  institu- 
tions  of  religion.  Never  let  the  engagements  of  secular 
business  violate  the  sacred  rest  of  the  Sabbath.  Make 
no  plea  of  necessity  on  tliis  account,  beyond  what  is 
fairly  warranted  by  the  allowance  of  the  great  Lord  of 
the  Sabbath.  Be  regular  and  exemplary  in  your  atten- 
dance on  public  worship;  and  never,  if  you  love  religion, 
be  ashamed  to  make  an  open  profession  of  it  before  the 
world;  remembering  the  solemn  and  impressive  declara- 
tion of  the  Saviour  himself,  "Whosoever  shall  be  ashamed 
of  me,  and  my  words,  in  this  adulterous  and  sinful  gene- 
ration, of  him  also  shall  the  son  of  man  be  ashamed  when 
he  cometh  in  the  glory  of  his  Fathor,  with  the  holy  an- 
gels." 

And  now,  if  in  the  minds  of  any  of  you  there  still 
lurk  a  suspicion,  that  so  high  and  exact  a  regard  to  the 
demands  of  religion  as  I  recommend,  must  necessarily 
interfere  with  that  diligence  in  business,  which  it  is  the 
main  object  of  my  discourse  to  explain  and  inculcate,  I 
would,  in  conclusion,  beg  of  such  to  lay  aside  all  specula- 
tion, and  to  attend,  for  a  moment,  to  the  facts  of  the  case. 
Facts,  numerous  and  unequivocal,  demonstrate,  that  strict 


LITERAHY  DILIGENCE  RECOMMENDED.       237 

piety  may  be  united,  because  it  often  has  been  united, 
with  exemplary  and  successful  industr}'.  There  have 
been,  taken  collectively,  a  host  of  such  men  as  Selden, 
and  Boyle,  and  IJoorhaave,  and  Pascal,  and  Hale,  and 
Gardiner,  and  Thornton — scholars,  lawyers,  physicians, 
soldiers,  and  merchants — who  have  been  disting-uished, 
in  the  highest  degree,  for  profound  erudition,  or  for  pro- 
fessional activity  and  eminence,  or  ler  both,  and  at  the 
same  time  for  devoutness  of  spirit  and  sanctity  of  life. 
Let  nothing,  therefore,  induce  you  to  yield  to  an  unhal- 
lowed suspicion  and  prejudice  which  such  examples  as 
these  should  counteract.  Never  attempt  to  separate  the 
duties  which  a  divine  precept  has  joined  together  !  But 
be  "diligent  in  business,  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the 
Lord." 

Candidates  for  the  honours  of  the  College,  in  the  en- 
suing week ! 

This  subject,  chosen  and  treated  with  reference  to 
the  circumstances  in  which  you  now  stand,  has, 
throughout,  been  particularly  addressed  to  you.  No- 
thing materially  occurs  to  me,  to  add  to  what  you  have 
already  heard,  except  a  few  words,  in  anticipation  of 
the  remaining  part  of  my  subject,  on  the  necessity  and 
happy  consequences  of  diligence  in  business,  and  then 
to  bid  you  all  farewell. 

Unhappily  a  notion  has  gained  currency  among  us, 
that  diligence  is  not  necessary  to  youth  of  genius  and 
talents ;  that  regular  and  laborious  study  is  rather  the 
indication  of  a  dull  and  plodding  mind ;  and  that  it  is 


233      LITERARY  DILIGENCE  RECOMMENDED. 

of  course  the  prerog^ative  and  the  tendency  of  powerful 
intellect,  to  neglect,  and  even  to  disdain,  all  close  and 
systematic  application.  A  more  senseless  and  perni- 
cious notion  than  this,  could  not  easily  be  conceived. 
It  is  so  unqualifiedly  false,  that  I  confidently  affirm, 
with  my  venerable  predecessor  Dr.  Witherspoon,  whose 
words  I  quote — "that  there  is  not  an  instance  to  be 
found,  of  a  man's  arriving-  at  great  reputation  or  use- 
fulness, be  his  capacity  what  it  might,  without  industry 
and  application."  Grotius,  and  Newton,  and  Milton, 
and  Locke,  were  they  without  genius  ?  Yet  they  were 
among  the  most  laborious  students  and  thinkers  that 
ever  lived.  Besides,  there  is  a  very  arrogant  assump- 
tion here.  A  young  man  first  takes  it  for  granted  that 
he  has  superior  powers,  and  then,  from  this  self-flatter- 
ing postulate,  concludes  that  he  may  neglect  study. 
Does  he  who  reasons  and  acts  in  this  manner,  give  evi- 
dence of  mental  energy  or  of  mental  weakness  ?  I 
leave  the  answer  wuth  yourselves. 

Receive  it,  my  young  friends,  as  incontrovertible 
truth,  that  diligence  in  business,  all  the  diligence  of 
which  you  have  heard,  is  necessary,  indispensably  ne- 
cessary, to  you  all.  No  matter  what  are  your  talents — 
without  diligence,  you  can  neither  be  useful,  nor  truly 
respectable.  We  allow  to  talents  all  their  just  claims. 
Doubtless  he  who  is  richly  gifted  with  them,  may  go 
forward  in  knowledge  and  improvement,  with  an  case, 
a  rapidity,  and  to  an  extent,  not  to  be  equalled  by  those 
of  more  moderate  endowments.  Still,  no  endowments 
from  nature  can  ever  supercede  the  necessity  of  exertion, 
order  and  industry.     And  often,  very  often,  it  is  seen, 


LITERARY  DILIGENCE  REC0M3IENDED.      239 

that  a  man  of  ordinary  powers,  by  application  and  at- 
tention to  business,  comes,  in  the  language  of  the  text, 
to  "  stand  before  kings ;"  and  not  unfrequently  leaves 
him  who  vaunted  of  his  genius,  and  indulged  in  idleness 
and  eccentricity,  to  "  stand  before  mean  men,"  or  to 
sink  into  utter  insignificance. 

In  looking  forward  into  life,  therefore,  make  your 
calculations  that  all  your  success  is  to  depend,  under 
the  divine  blessing,  on  your  own  efforts  and  industry ; 
and  to  be  in  a  great  measure  proportioned  to  them. 
Friends  may  put  you  in  the  way  of  business  and  repu- 
tation, but  nothing  can  keep  you  there,  but  your  own 
merit  and  exertions.  Adopt  and  adhere,  then,  to  the 
whole  system  which  has  been  delineated  to  you  in  this 
address.  Doing  this,  you  will  have  reason  to  hope  that, 
in  a  few  years,  if  your  lives  shall  be  prolonged,  you  will 
occupy  some  of  the  first  stations  of  usefulness,  influence, 
and  honour,  in  our  country.  But  I  must  rcnewedly 
counsel  you,  that  in  contemplating  all  your  prospects 
and  in  forming  all  your  purposes,  you  do  it  in  an  hum- 
ble reliance  on  God  to  preserve,  succeed,  and  bless  you. 
I  would  wish  to  avoid  saying  any  thing  needlessly  to 
damp  your  youthful  ardour.  But  in  this  parting  ad- 
dress,  I  must  remind  you  distinctly,  that  all  you  have 
heard,  relative  to  a  life  of  diligence  and  its  happy  conse- 
quences, has  been  predicated  of  a  contingency,  which 
as  I  have  passingly  hinted,  may  never  take  place. 
Your  life  is  uncertain — You  may  not  live  to  be  diligent 
and  successful  in  business.  You  know  that  the  stroke 
of  death  has  brought  to  the  dust,  and  hurried  to  his  final 
u  2 


240      LITERARY  DILIGENCE  RECOMMENDED. 

destiny,  one  of  your  friends,  who  only  a  3'ear  ago  was 
standing,  as  you  do  now,  to  hear  my  last  monitory 
words.  Any  one  of  you  may  follow  liim,  in  the  year 
that  is  to  come  :  and  instead  of  each  individual  flat- 
tering himself  that  he  will  certainly  escape,  it  will  be 
more  wisely  done,  if  each  individual  shall  resolve  to  act 
as  insensible,  that  he  may  be  marked  as  another  victim. 
Yes,  my  young  friends,  the  first  and  indispensable 
concern  of  you  all,  is  to  see  that  your  peace  be  made 
with  God  througli  Jesus  Christ.  "Seek  first  the  king- 
dom  of  God  and  his  righteousness,"  and  trust  the  assur- 
ance, that  other  "  tilings  shall  be  added  unto  you.''  It 
is  my  parting  earnest  request,  that  you  make  no  de- 
lay in  this  great  concern.  It  will  neither  prevent  nor 
interfere  with  any  other  duty.  You  will  never  be  so 
well  prepared  to  live  as  when  you  are  prepared  to  die. 
My  fervent  prayer  for  you  all  is,  that  you  may  be  pre- 
pared for  both.  While  you  live,  may  you  live  to  the 
glory  of  God  and  to  the  good  of  mankind  ;  and  hving 
thus,  may  you — if  such  be  the  divine  will — live  long 
and  happily  I  May  you  be  the  joy  of  your  parents,  the 
delight  of  your  friends,  a  treasure  to  your  country,  and 
a  blessing  to  the  world  !  May  you  at  last  die  in  peace, 
and  may  we  meet  in  Heaven !  These,  dear  pupils,  are 
not  formal  wishes — they  are  cordial,  earnest,  paternal 
desires  and  petitions,  which,  in  parting  from  you,  I  offer 
up  in  your  behalf  to  our  common  God  and  Father. 
Nor  shall  I,  while  I  live,  cease  to  follow  you  with  my 
prayers.    The  God  of  our  fathers  bless  you  I    Farewell. 


